Novak Djokovic declared his Paris Games gold medal as “probably the biggest sporting success I’ve had in my career”, but Andy Roddick has a different opinion when it comes to the “Olympics versus the Grand Slams” debate as he feels the former doesn’t feature highly on the list of biggest achievements for tennis players.
Tennis great Djokovic completed his career Golden Slam by defeating Carlos Alcaraz in the Paris Games finale as he became only the fifth player to win singles gold at the Olympics and all four Grand Slams.
Following several failed attempts to get to the top step of the podium of the Olympics, Djokovic felt his Paris success shot straight to the top of his best moments in the game.
“I thought in 2012, carrying the flag of my country in the opening ceremony was the best feeling an athlete could have – until today,” the 24-time Grand Slam winner said.
“This supersedes everything that I imagined and hoped I could experience and feel. The fact I won the bronze in my first Olympic Games and ever since then failed to win a medal despite playing in three semi-finals … I couldn’t overcome that obstacle.
“Now, at age 37 [I was able to beat] a 21-year-old that is probably the best player in the world right now. When I take everything into consideration, this is probably the biggest sporting success I’ve had in my career.”
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Former world No 1 Roddick – winner of the 2003 US Open – made two Olympic appearances, but failed to medal while he also finished runner-up in three Wimbledon and one US Open final.
So would he prefer to win gold at the Olympics or a Wimbledon title?
“It’s not even worth a conversation. I think it’s each individual [choice],” the American said on his Served With Andy Roddick. “I think if you ask people, is this [as] important as a Slam, and I certainly felt this pressure in 2004 [when asked], do you value this? Years later, I’m like no.
“It’s not even worth a conversation.
“I would have definitely taken a Wimbledon title instead of that, 100%. No chance [that the Olympics is on a par with a Grand Slam], like it’s not even worth a conversation.
“If you put me in this seat right now and you give me, ‘Hey, you could have an Olympic gold medal or you could have a Wimbledon title?’ It’s not even up for discussion to me. The point is it’s different for everyone.”